Spring A'bloomin' pt. 1

A combination of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, ……plus all the Hard Blues you can imagine!!—that is California Breed!  A three-piece consisting of none other than Jason Bonham-drummer extraordinaire, Glenn Hughes with his funk infused bass playing and singing, and sizzling guitarist Andrew Watt whom also belts out a deep vocal line.  California Breed is just one of a variety of new seeds that will bloom brilliantly this Spring!!  Their self-titled album will hit the streets on May 20th in North America.  Mark my words, this is going to be a juggernaut of an album…everything is covered: Blues/Rock/Funk and the always righteous Rock!

Steeped in the power trio tradition, a new group made up of veteran players  is about to be unleashed.  Hailing from the island of Angels, the UK’s Three Lions will release their debut in April.  A power house melodic rock trio-the band is made up of Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten, Asia) on guitar…drummer Greg Morgan (Dare, Ten) and young Nigel Bailey pumping out the bass and adding his textured voice.  Three Lions are gearing up for extensive road work across Europe and into North America.  Another seed of Spring that will bloom throughout the musical landscape.

Almost like a new lease on life, this controversial Canadian singer continues to climb upwards, and amaze his critics as he ascends!  Sebastian Bach will release his latest solo offering, “Give ‘Em Hell” in April.  Those amazing vocals are couched by some big name players, creating a highly energised and surprisingly varied slice of Hard Rock!  Check out Sebastian’s version of April Wine’s “Rock N’ Roll Is A Vicious Game”.

Celebrating thirty years of constant touring and recording, Pretty Maids begin the Spring season with “Louder Than Ever”, a beautifully packaged CD/DVD with brand new seedlings and re-worked gems that have a new “bloom” to them!  This Danish Hard-Rock outfit have offered up a huge THANK-YOU to their fans, with historical footage of their past thirty years, brand new interviews and previews of what is to come.  “Louder Than Ever” will be in stores at the end of March and remember there are five new flowers to enjoy—plus many tried and true musical journeys!

Another brand new seed that has been planted: L.R.S. featuring Canadian drummer Michael Shotton (Von Groove) and Tommy La Verdi of 21 Guns on vocals, with guitarist Josh Ramos—mean to spread their music worldwide!  A powerfully packed debut, “Down To The Core” exposes this threesome’s rock roots!  L.R.S. is a triumph of Melodic Hard Rock, with more than a hint of pure Canadian Rock n’ Roll!!  Next week, new Talent from the Okanagan…Spring is certainly a’bloomin’!!

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Upcoming Club/Concert Highlights:

The Blue Gator: (Wednesday Night Blues with Poppa Dawg-every Wednesday)   Zamboni  Brothers:   March 27^th & 28^th  & 29^th  Young’Uns:   April 3^rd & 4^th    The Journeymen:   April 11^th & 12^th 

Doc Willoughby’s Downtown Pub:   Cowpuncher:  March 29^th   The Skinny:  April 5^th  Rude City Riot:  April 18^th

The Green: (Vernon)   Sunday Night Jams-featuring  GTR   

O’Flannigan’s Pub:  Jimmy LeGuilloux Band:   April 4^th & 5^th   Rockaholicks:   Apr. 11^th

Notable Concerts:  

Prospera Place:    Collective Soul:   April 4^th

Kelowna Community Theatre:    Jann Arden:   March 29^th   Johnny Clegg Band:  April 27^th   

South Okanagan Events Centre (Penticton):     Florida Georgia Line:   April 10^th   Kenny Rogers:   June 12^th

Interior Savings Centre (Kamloops):   George Thorogood & The Destroyers:   May 1^st 2014   

…if you have a musical story or news and would like me to write something… drop me a line at:  [email protected]  and let’s celebrate Kelowna’s rich and varied music community together!!.....

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.